Barbara Keeling

BARBARA WEDGE KEELING, 89 ROCKFORD - Barbara W. Keeling, 89, of Rockford died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, peacefully at home after a long illness. She was born March 15, 1918, in Bemidji, Minn., the daughter of Arthur Guiteau Wedge and Margaret Wilford (Ford). She served in the American Red Cross during World War II and married Virgil Craig Keeling on Nov. 24, 1945. Together, they shared 53 years of happiness prior to his death on April 30, 1999. Barbara attended the University of Minnesota and was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and volunteer during the sixty years she lived in Rockford. She was an enthusiastic member of First Presbyterian Church of Rockford, the ET chapter of PEO and numerous other organizations. Among her many leadership roles, she was a founding member of the Woman's Board for the Rockford Art Museum; an energetic volunteer fundraiser for the Rockford Symphony; and president of the Winnebago County Medical Auxiliary. Barbara's parents taught her to honor the dignity of all people, and she, in turn, has taught her family and friends to celebrate diversity of people and of life in general. Barbara's legacy includes the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, and she was energized in planning for the upcoming visit of Greg Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea," to the 2008 International Day of Peace at the Peace Plaza and the related opportunity for Rockford and its children to fund the construction and program of a new school in rural Pakistan. Barbara loved art, music, theater, reading, knitting, sports, bridge, travel and, most of all, spending time with her many friends and family members. She particularly loved golf at which she excelled as a competitor winning the 1988 Illinois State Senior Woman's Golf Championship for her age group. More importantly, she understood golf's power to teach young people (of all ages) life skills such as integrity, perseverance and civility resulting in her efforts to launch The First Tee of Greater Rockford. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Michael (Mary) of Breckenridge, Colo., James (Pamela) of Rockford, Katherine (Samuel Frazer) of Redondo Beach, Calif., Timothy (Grace) of Breckenridge, Colo., Thomas (Jennifer) of Mendham, N.J.; and eighteen grandchildren, Shelley (Jon Cooper), Mak (Katie), Carrie (Andy Miller), Lizze, Sara, Brent, Nic, Matthew, Charles, Jimmy, Tommy, Peter, Lexy, Bobby and Kyle. During her final three years, Barbara bonded with her loving caregivers - most notably, Nara, Jenina and Vickie. Predeceased by parents; husband; four sisters; and a brother. Family greetings at 3 p.m. followed by memorial service at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at First Presbyterian Church, 406 North Main St., Rockford, with Rev. Robert Hillenbrand presiding. Memorials may be sent to Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza Fund or The First Tee of Rockford Fund, in both cases in care of Rockford Park District Foundation, 401 South Main St., Rockford, IL 61101. Arrangements by Olson Funeral and Cremation Services.